Journalism 361: Editorial Cartooning
Fall 2019
3 Credit Hours
Monday 4–6:30 p.m.
Instructor: Marshall Ramsey, Editor-At-Large for Mississippi and Syndicated Cartoonist
Contact information: mramsey@mississippitoday.org
Course Description:
Two-time Pulitzer Finalist Editorial Cartoonist Marshall Ramsey introduces students to the issues and newsmakers behind the cartoons and what elements make up a good cartoon. Students will be required to draw an editorial cartoon each week and defend the idea behind it. Class will consist of a lecture based on required reading, discussion and time to brainstorm a cartoon idea based on the news of the week and a talk with a newsmaker and or working visual artist. Students will create a portfolio of 13 editorial cartoons that will be graded weekly based on strength of the idea (not on the political stance, but how effective it is at making its point) and artistic ability. Cartoon ideas approved in each class are due the following Monday’s class. There will be no late cartoons accepted — deadlines in the real world aren’t forgiving and students have to learn deadline discipline. There will be a 100-point final based on class lectures, readings and guest lectures. Take good notes! Also there will be a five-page term paper due the last regular day of class pertaining the past, present and future of editorial cartooning and visual commentary that is worth 200 points.
Required Texts:
No texts required. All readings will be either handed out or found online at marshallramsey.com
Each student will be given a copy of Marshall Ramsey’s 20th Anniversary book Drawing the Line.
Supplies:
Two pads of 11×14 Bristol board
Kneaded Eraser
Pencil
Black pens of your choosing.
Pack of 8 1/2 x 11 copy paper (for creating rough drafts).
We will also touch on other mediums and methods for creating visual commentary, but for simplicity’s sake, we’ll start off with pen & ink cartoons.
Student Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this class, you should:
- Know the history of editorial cartooning and its current and future challenges.
- Have an understanding of what makes up a strong editorial cartoon.
- Know how the dark history of editorial cartoons and how they have been used for negative purposes in the past.
- Understand how to defend your idea to an editor
- Have developed deadline discipline.
- Understand how to create a simple business plan and how to market your work using social media and other platforms.
- Be able to create an effective editorial cartoon.
- Be able to engage a newsmaker and ask thoughtful and relevant questions.
Exams and Assignments (1000 pt. Total)
Thirteen cartoons — one per class. 50 pts. each. 650 pts.
Midterm (based on readings and lectures) 50 pts.
Final (based on readings and lectures) 50 pts.
Five-page term paper (written in Microsoft Word) 150 pts.
Calendar
August 26: Introduction and a brief history. Two ideas due by end of class.
September 2: Labor Day — No class
September 9: More history — the good bad and the ugly. Two finished cartoons due at beginning of class. One idea due by end of class.
September 16: Plagiarism — avoiding the temptation.
One finished cartoon due at beginning of class. One idea due by end of class.
September 23: What makes a good cartoon? One finished cartoon due at beginning of class. One idea due by end of class.
September 30: Midterm Exam. One finished cartoon due at beginning of class. One idea due by end of class.
October 7: Don’t get sued — Legal landmines. One finished cartoon due at beginning of class. One idea due by end of class.
October 14: Marketing and Branding 101 One finished cartoon due at beginning of class. One idea due by end of class.
October 21: Marketing and Branding 101 continued. One finished cartoon due at beginning of class. One idea due by end of class.
October 28: Researching a good idea. One finished cartoon due at beginning of class. One idea due by end of class.
November 4: Developing your style. One finished cartoon due at beginning of class. One idea due by end of class.
November 11: Dealing with editors and other things. One finished cartoon due at beginning of class. One idea due by end of class.
November 18: The Future of visual commentary. One finished cartoon due at beginning of class. One idea due by end of class.
November 25: THANKSGIVING!
December 2: Wrapping it all up. Portfolio Review. Term Paper Due. One finished cartoon due at beginning of class.
December 9: Final!
Attendance Policy:
Since this is a once-a-week-class, I expect you to be in class. The whole class. You will have your grade lowered after three unexcused absences. If you do miss a class, I expect the work to be made up (the one time I will accept late work).
Deductions will begin after your 3rd absence. Four days missed — final course grade dropped one letter grade. Five days missed — final course grade dropped two letter grades Six days missed — final course grade dropped 3 letter grades. And seven days missed. You fail the class Exceptions are for school-sponsored events (band, sports, journalism trips, etc) with official paperwork or an email from advisors/professors. No need to show doctor excuses or funeral programs, etc. Basically, you have three absences without a penalty and this includes illnesses. But I still expect you to produce a cartoon. If you have hospitalization that requires more time than allotted for absences, talk with me to see if special accommodations can be made or if you will be able to make up the work. You will interact with you classmates and some will have different opinions. That’s OK. You will survive. I don’t care if you agree with me but I want you to back up what you believe.
Notifications of Changes:
The instructor will make every effort to follow the guidelines of this syllabus as listed; however, the instructor reserves the right to amend this document as the need arises. In such instances. The instructor will notify students in class and/or via email and will endeavor to provide reasonable time for students to adjust to any changes.
Term Paper:
Five pages on the history, present and future of editorial cartooning and visual commentary. APA-style for sourcing. If you don’t know APA style, I’ll point you in the right direction to learn. Format: 12-pt., double spaced, Times-New Roman font, one-inch margins.
Statement on Academic Misconduct:
ALL WORK – cartoons and the term paper – everything – must be newly created work for this class. Plagiarism is a serious offense and will not be tolerated. In the publishing industry, it will destroy your career. Don’t start now.
Standards of Honesty
The university is conducted on a basis of common honesty. Dishonesty, cheating, or plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the university are regarded as particularly serious offenses. Disruptive behavior in an academic situation or purposely harming academic facilities also are grounds for academic discipline.
Disciplinary Procedures
In the College of Liberal Arts and in the Schools of Accountancy, Applied Sciences, Business Administration, Education, and Journalism, faculty members handle cases of academic dishonesty in their classes by recommending an appropriate sanction after discussion with the student. Possible sanctions include: failure on the work in question, retake of an examination, extra work, grade reduction or failure in the course, disciplinary probation, or suspension or expulsion from the university. An appeals process is available to the student. A more complete statement concerning definitions, offenses, penalties, and grievance procedures may be found in the UM Policy Directory.
Policy on Missed Exams and Course Work.
The instructor will not excuse late assignments for routine reasons — medical appointments, work or campus obligations. Deadlines in the publishing business are not forgiving. Be proactive if something is on your schedule and turn the work in early. I will not accept cartoons late however, if there is an emergency (death in the family, accident, severe illness requiring doctor’s care), I will take those situations into consideration on a case-by-case basis. The midterm and final exam must be taken on the date of class. If there is a foreseen conflict or emergency, I will work with you by a case-by-case basis. Term paper will be docked 5 pts. Per day it is late.
Students with Disabilities
It is the University policy to provide, on a flexible and individual basis, reasonable accommodations to students who have disabilities that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or meet course requirements. Students with disabilities, which have been verified through the Office of Student Disability Services, should feel free to meet with me to discuss specific needs and how can address them. You are required to turn in disability paperwork within the first two weeks of class.